Well that was one way to end an epic year of music.
@asiwyfa_music represent everything I feel is important about music life - an unwavering commitment to their artform, somehow transcendent of their genre and all with a sense of community and togetherness that they navigate with ease a humility. It was an honour to play a part in their 20th anniversary celebrations let alone be entrusted with creating these orchestral arrangements of their extensive back catalog (a “small job” that ultimately became a 276 page orchestral score of 2 volumes). A project I eventually codenamed : “Set Bassoons to Kill”.
My sincere thanks to the gentlemen that are Rory, Niall, Ewen & Chris for allowing me to share the stage on such and epic night for them.
Just a few thanks from a personal viewpoint to the players, management and staff of The Ulster Orchestra who continue to prove their vision and leadership in the breaking of barriers for the music community in Northern Ireland and the creation of an orchestra that serves the whole musical community here.
Thanks to conductor Paul Campbell
@studioorchestrations
Thanks to
@kt_rich_music and her unstoppable choir, orchestra leader Oscar and the many others in the crew and further afield I can’t get in to mentioning as the list runs too deep.
Watching my dear friend Rory Friers on his knees on The Ulster Hall floor (see clip) playing guitar amidst the most respectful mosh pit you can imagine while accompanied by the explosive might of the Ulster Orchestra in the greatest of atmospheres is a moment in my musical life that I will treasure.
Thank you
@asiwyfamusic and congratulations on 20 years.
Thank you
@ulsterorchestra and congratulations on your first real life mosh pit :)
Happy Christmas all and see you all in 2026.
MK x
Some photos :
@otherbelfast
Group shot : JD Waldron
Video clip : Rockvonrockshire